I've read most but not all. Does one actually read a cookbook? Well, I've made a list of recipes to try from Frugal Gourmet. The book about the Georgians took me over a week to get through. Bill's working on it now. He's just finished Hons and Rebels which I started but then got distracted. He laughed out loud several times, so I must get back to it. Currently reading about Dolly Wilde.
The Practical Princess book isn't about what to put in the wardrobe but how to organise one. If you want a book to tell you how to fold your socks and bras, this is the one for you. Interesting to read through once, but I don't see keeping this as a reference.
The Language of Clothes, I've already mentioned. It's definitely in line to read again, but not til I've got through the rest.
I've flipped through the Cafe Society book, but not actually read the text. There are some pretty amazing photos in there, but a good number of the 'photos' are sketches with cut-out heads glued on, which I think is cheating. Still, it talks about some interesting personalities I've never heard of before, as does Truly Wilde.
Nina Campbell's Decorating Notebook needs another reading I think, though I have taken away one potential idea for our living room. I'd already had the idea for arranging pictures on one wall, but she shows my idea and says it's 'in the manner of an English Country House', so I'm feeling a bit more confident. If I ever pull it off, I'll be certain to show it to you.
The Thoughtful Dresser did just what it says on the tin. She makes a seriously good case for why clothing is not a completely silly, frou-frou subject. She also points out that whilst fashion designers can demand that their models be dangerously thin, they themselves can be as fat as they like; and when they tire of being fat, they can afford a personal trainer and the best gyms. See? She's makes you think.
The End of Fashion was also an amazing look into all the set dressing that goes on around developing a brand's image, apparently far more important than the actual design or quality of the goods themselves. The rise and fall of department stores, the laughable egos involved, it's altogether a very interesting read.
Did you get any great books for Christmas?
3 comments:
Thanks for the shout-out Shelley! :)
Your book list looks great, I want to read The Thoughtful Dresser and The End of Fashion, both books would be up my alley.
The Truly Wilde book looks interesting too. Happy Reading!
I love the Thoughtful Dresser and have read Lurie and Agin's books as well. It's crazy how often I now take my reading cues from fellow bloggers. I am reading Paul Fussell's book on Class, on the recommendation of Susan Tiner.
(I've been prowling around on your site looking at all the lovely pictures here and there. It's such fun! Just thought I'd mention it...)
As to books, I hate to admit it but I have a terrible time making reading as much of a priority as it ought to be. It is with renewed determination that I'm digging in again - even if only a short amount of time daily if at all possible (other than websites and things I research).
I've actually begun re-reading something I read first many years ago, and have read again since - The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. It's amazing use of language, and picking it up and putting it down is almost like indulging in jagged poetry.
I'm simultaneously reading a book on parenting (that is quite unusual - it helps us parent ourselves in a way), and I find it easier (oddly) to read two books at once than one. Something fiction and something non-fiction. A bit like a glass of wine with a great piece of cheese?
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